Program Expectations

Hours

The hours are comparable to working a full time job plus going to school part-time. Shifts generally will run between 8 AM and 5 PM, although work may begin as early as 5 AM or end as late as 8 PM. Interns are expected to complete a minimum of 40 hours of practicum work each week in a Monday through Friday format. Completing 50 hour weeks at facilities is common and expected of interns. Students are required to make up missed days and portions thereof.

Weekend shifts will Occasionally be required for the rotations. Special programs such as graduate classes, nutrition workshops and seminars may either be scheduled on weekends or evenings, or require an overnight trip, with participation/attendance expected. Schedules and course syllabi with specific expectations are provided at the beginning of each semester.

Summer Preparation

A variety of activities are required to be completed during the summer. They include, but are not limited to the following:

completion of a summer self-study program in medical terminology and abbreviations;

selected reading and writing assignments;

laboratory assessment self-study; and

HIPAA and Safety Modules;

Interns will be tested on this information prior to beginning the practical experiences. A minimum grade of 80% is expected on the pre-test. Anyone scoring below 80% will be assigned remedial work and must retake the exam prior to starting the supervised practical experience. Details for all summer assignments are provided at the June pre-orientation.

Computer Access

Interns must have access to a personal computer and the internet to complete graduate coursework and practicum assignments. Upon enrolling into the Dietetic Internship, all interns receive an e-mail account and have access to numerous computers at The Sage Colleges.

All internship courses utilize Moodle. This online learning system requires Windows XP (Service Pack 2) or Windows Vista and the latest Internet Explorer (IE) browser and/or Firefox. Students using Mac computers should have OS X10.3 or higher, and run Firefox and/or the latest version of Internet Explorer. Refer to http://www.sage.edu/resources/technology for more details about Technology at Sage.

Graduation Requirements for Credentialing

Interns must successfully complete the planned rotations in Food Service Management, Clinical and Community Dietetics as well as the concentration competencies. Interns are evaluated by facility preceptors as well as the DI Director. A practicum exam at the end of each semester and comprehensive final examination must be completed with a 80% grade or better. The internship director reserves the right to have students repeat rotations and assignments where objectives, competencies and learning outcomes have not been met. All five graduate courses must be completed with a grade of B or higher. Verification statements are issued to all students who satisfactorily complete both the experience and academic components.

The Dietetic Internship Director assists each intern in completing the Registration Eligibility Application for Dietitians, upon successful completion of the above noted requirements. The registration examination is administered year round at ACT Centers nationwide. It is expected that Sage dietetic interns will successfully pass the RD exam within six months of completing the program.

Competencies and Learning Outcomes

Placements

In an effort to meet the growing demand for Registered Dietitians, the Sage DI has opportunities to place interns in geographic locations beyond the Capital Region of NYS. Alternate placement options in NYS may include, yet are not limited to Kingston, Poughkeepsie, Plattsburgh and Utica/Rome areas. Additional placement options in western Massachusetts and southern Vermont may also be considered. Interns placed at these locations need to budget additional travel expenses for commuting to campus and staying on or near campus during orientations.

Transportation & Housing

A car and valid driver's license are necessary as travel to facilities is required. Interns should anticipate traveling to a variety of locations (up to 10 different facilities/agencies throughout the 10-month program). Parking permits are required at The Sage Colleges and at some facilities.

Interns are responsible for housing while completing the program. For those interns placed outside the immediate Capital District additional travel time, and funding for gas and housing will be needed. All interns will be required to attend classes on the Troy campus and some practicum assignments in the Capital Region.